Matrix drying machine



Dec. '22, 1942. c. G. QUICK ETAL MATRIX DRYING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l Owm Dec. 22, 1942. c. G. QUICK ET AL 2,305,733

MATRIX DRYING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 6667/ G. Qu/(f/Q C/yar/es 14 Mars/70 6 y ATTY 1942- c. G. QUICK ET AL v 2,305,733

MATRIX DRYING MACHINE Cea/ G. Qu/C/ Char/es W Mars/2a 5 W 'ATT'Y Dec. 22, 1942. c. G. QUICK ETAL 2,305,733

MATRIX DRYING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS @qr/es Mars/7a Patented Dec. 22, 1942 MATRIX DRYING MACHINE Cecil George Quick and Charles William Marshall, London, England, assignors to R. Hoe -& Co. Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 27, 1939, Serial No. 270,450 In Great Britain April 28, 1938 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for drying matrices employed in the production of curved printing plates for use on rotary printing machines.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a machine which will produce a uniform drying effect over the surface of the matrix and which will enable the power required for heating to be employed economically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drying apparatus which shall require a minimum of handling in its operation and will enable the output of dried matrices to be increased.

In carrying out the present invention, a matrix drying machine comprises a casing having in it.

a rotatable drum and an endless perforated band which in its movement passes around the drum. The casing is provided with an aperture through which a matrix to be dried can be introduced between the run of the belt as it passes to the drum so as to be drawn into the nip between the belt and the drum and drawn around thereby until it falls from between the belt and drum as the belt passes on its return run, the matrix being removable through the aperture. The movement of the drum carries thematrix past heating elements such as strip form electrical heating elements, these elements being preferably inside and outside the drum.

Since the matrix is carried through the heating or drying zone, the drying action on the matrix is uniform and moreover, since the belt, drum and heating elements are contained in a casing having only an aperture for the insertion and removal of a matrix, the heat generated is conserved and preferably, to facilitate this conservation of heat, the casing is jacketed by heat insulating material such as asbestos.

In order to prevent crushing of the impressions and the bolsters between impressions in the matrix between the drum and the band, the drying drum is provided at its'ends with peripheral surfaces which are larger in diameter than the remainder of the peripheral surface of the drum by an amount about equal to twice the thickness of a matrix over the impressions thereon. These end peripheral surfaces operate as bearer rings for the edges of the band so that, longitudinally between these surfaces, a clearance is left between the inner surface of the band and the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum. This clearance provides an annular chamber to receive the matrix as it passes around between the drum and the band .and so prevents crushing of the impressions and bolsters therein.v

' speed gearing by an electric motor I2. The drum' A preferred form of construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an end elevation, Figure 2 an end elevation partly in section, Figure 3 a longitudinal sectional elevation, Figure 4 a sectional plan view and Figure 5 a detail view to a larger scale.

In the drawings C indicates a casing within which are located two drums I, 2 around which passes an endless perforated band 3 of rustless material such as phosphor bronze. Also within the casing C are electrical heating elements H and the casing is provided with an aperture or openingO through which a matrix to be dried can be passed to between the band 3 and the drum I (hereinafter referred to as the drying drum), the matrix then being carried through the heating zone of the heating elements H. The drum 2 operates as a guide roller for the band 3.

The drying drum I is so formed as to leave between its outer periphery and the inner surface of the band 3 a clearance approximately equal to the average thickness of a matrix over its impressions and bolsters, and in this way to prevent crushing as the matrix passes between the band 3 and the drum I. band is supported by the drum I only from its end portions, the band between these end portions being clear of the periphery of the drum by the required clearance. Thus, the drum I comprises two circular end discs 4 having outwardly extending flanges Ia at its ends and having peripheral surfaces 5 which are recessed at 6 (see Figure 5). The side edges of the band 3 ride upon and over the unrecessed parts of the surfaces 5, which surfaces form bearing rings,

or bearers for the band 3. A shell I forming'the cylindrical surface of the drum is supported at its ends by the recessed parts of the surfaces 5, the radius of the outer surface of the shell 'I being less than the radius of the unrecessed diameter of the surfaces 5 by an amount equal to the required clearance.

The drying drum I is rotatable on a central stationary axle 8 and is positively driven by securing to the drum a chain wheel 9 around which passes a chain II]. The chain I0 also passes around a chain wheel II adapted to be made fast with a chain wheel Ila, mounted on a shaft I Id, and around which passes a second chain I lb. The chain I lb passes around a chain wheel IIc, which is driven through reduction variable 2 is freely rotatable on an axle I3.

The aperture 0 in the casing C is of arcuate form and is in the region of the lower part of the To effect this, the

periphery of the drying drum. More or less coincident with the aperture is a curved table or guide it which extends between the up and down runs of the band 3 to and from the drying drum. The table is provided with a back stop I5 by which matrices guided and supported by the curved table or guide 54, are located in position within the casing C in respect to the drum I when they are inserted therein.

It will now be seen that a matrix to be dried can be passed endwise through the aperture 0 and up to the back stop i 5 which positions the matrix so that it will be in line with the clearance space between the drum I and the band 3. The matrix is then moved sideways so that it passes between the nip of the up-run of the band 3 and the drum i. The matrix is then pulled by the band and the drum around the drum, the matrix being received in the clearance provided between these two parts and conveyed through the heating zone of the heaters H. As the matrix passes from the nip of the band 3 and the drum (which occurs as the down run of the band leaves the drum) the matrix falls on to the table I4 from which it can be removed through the aperture 0. t

The heating elements I-I consist of two groups one located just outside the band 3 and the other just inside the inner periphery of the drying drum. The first group is supported by brackets It from the casing C and the second group is supported by brackets I'i carried by the stationary axle 8 of the drying drum I. Between the table I4 and the drum I is located a curved plate I4 which is lined with heat insulating material It so as to confine heat to the region of the drum.

Since the matrix is, by the rotation of the drying drum I progressively and uniformly moved through the heating Zone of the heating elements H which are located on both sides of the matrix, the matrix will be uniformly dried. Because of the clearance provided between the band 3 and the periphery of the drum I, the impressions and the bolsters between impressions in the matrix will not be crushed nor would the packing under the bolsters which is commonly pasted on the back of the matrix be moved from position. The action also causes the matrix to be formed into a semi-cylindrical shape. The rate of drying (dependent upon the humidity of the matrices) can readily be varied by variation in the speed of rotation of the drying drum I which varies the rate at which the matrix is carried through the heated zone and so varies the time during which the matrix is within the heated Zone. apparent that once the machine has been set to operate at a certain speed, a matrix can be fed to the machine and will (at the end of the selected time) be automatically delivered without requiring the attendance of an operator. This variation is effected by manipulation of the variable speed drive between the driving motor l2 and the drying drum I. This variable speed mechanism can be of any known type.

The power supply to the heating elements can be arranged for thermostatic control and of course the setting of this control can be adjusted to maintain a temperature suitable for an average matrix.

The disposition of the heating elements themselves can also be changed and in particular the brackets I1 carryingthe inner elements can be carried by arms. It which are slidable radially on arms IS on a sleeve which is itself angularly adjustable on the axle 8.

It Will be In order that the steam produced bythe heating of the matrices may be exhausted, the interior of the casing C is connected by conduits 2|, lid to an evacuating pump 22 which draws the steam from within the casing C.

The axle 3 is carried at its front and rear ends in bearing blocks 23, 24 and the axle I3 carrying the drum 2 is carried in such a way that the drum is free. to rise and fall to tension the band 3, the falling movement of the drum 2 being controlled by spring means. Thus, the front and rear ends of the axle I3 are carried in pivoted arms 25, 26 restrained from pivoting under the action of the weight of the drum by springs of which only one (indicated at 2T) is shown for the front arm.

To enable the band 3 to be removed and fitted as a complete loop from and to the drum, the bearing arrangements for the front ends of the axles are carried by a cantilever device from the rear of the casing, a front panel of which is removable to enable the band to be passed over the cantilever and on to the drums from this front end. Thus, the bearing block 23 for the axle 8 and the arm 25 supporting the lower axle I3 are carried by a front plate 23 secured to the front ends of cantilever plates 29, 30 which extend between the up and down runs of the band 3. The plates 29, 38 are secured at their rear ends to a rear plate 3I carrying the rear arm 25 for the axle I 3. This rear plate can be secured at its boundary to rear angle pieces 32 forming the framework for the casing C, this framework carrying the bearing 24 for the rear end of the axle 8. These rear angle pieces 32 forming to gether with front angle pieces 33 a framework to which the front panel 34 is removably connected. The framework also has secured to it side panels 35, 36, a rear panel 31 and a base panel 38.

It will now be seen that when it is desired to remove a band, the front panel 34 is removed, the lower drum 2 is raised to relieve the band of tension and to enable the band to bulge out so that it can be drawn endwise from the drums, a similar operation being effected when a band is fitted to the drums.

A curved upper part or top panel 3% is also provided and this panel is provided with a bracket which is swivelled on the pipe 2| between lugs 4| which support the pipe 2| from the framework of the casing C. The semi-cylindrical upper part 39 of the casing can be swung open to expose the drying drum I and also the heating elements H. These various panels are heat insulated by heat insulating material indi- -opening 0, this flap being associated with a catch 34 to retain the flap in the open position.

A stripper may be located along the line where the return run of the band 3 commences to leave the drying drum I, this stripper operating positively tostrip the matrix from the drum I.

The rear end of the table I l (i. e. at the end remote from the aperture) is provided with an ejector M adapted to engage the rear end of a matrix which has fallen on to the table. This ejector M is connected to a rod slidably carried in bearing blocks 46 at the underside of the table, this rod extending slightly beyond the apertured end of the casing where the rod is provided with a handle 41. Hence, by pulling the rod, the ejector 44 will engage the matrix and manual rotation, and this is efiected by securing the chain wheel Ha to the shaft ll d and loosely mounting the chain wheel II on that shaft and also by providing a clutch mechanism whereby the second chain wheel I I can be clutched to and declutched from the shaft I Id. This clutch comprises a part 49 having clutch teeth and non.- rotatable but axially slidable upon the shaft lid and a sleeve part 50 which also has clutch teeth and is rotatable on the shaft lld and has the chain wheel ll secured to it, this sleeve 50 being formed with a handwheel 5|. Hence by sliding the part 48 on the shaft lld the teeth thereon can be freed from the teeth on the sleeve 50 thus allowing the drum l to be turned by the handwheel 5l independently of the drive transmission through the chain l lb.

A reflector 52 may be located at that side of each element H remote from the matrix.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

What we claim is:

1. A matrix drying machine including in combination, a casing, a heated drying chamber in the casing, a curved guide in the heated drying chamber having flanges at its sides, a second guide spaced from the curved guide, an endless looped flexible band trained in its run about the second guide and the curved guide between the flanges, spaced apart bearers on the curved guide adjacent the flanges operating to support the edge parts of the band so as to leave between them a matrix receiving clearance space between the surface of the band and that of the curved guide.

2. A matrix drying machine including in combination, a casing, a heated drying chamber in the casing, means to heat the chamber, a cylindrical member having end flanges, means supporting the cylindrical member for rotation so that a portion thereof to one side of its axis rotates in the heated drying chamber, a guide member spaced from the cylindrical member, an endless looped flexible band trained in its run about the guide member and the cylindrical member between the flanges, axially spaced apart bearers on the cylindrical member adjacent the flanges and supporting the edge parts of the band from the cylindrical member so as to leave between them and between the periphery of the cylindrical member and the surface of the band a matrix-receiving clearance space, means to cause the endless band to travel, and a support for the matrix to be dried disposed at the side of the axis of the cylinder opposite the heated chamber and adapted to guide the matrix between the band and the member, for it to be conveyed thereby through the drying chamber.

3. A matrix drying machine comprising in combination a casing, heating elements in the casing to provide a heated zone therein, a plurality of guide members in the casing, one of the guide members being of cylindrical form and disposed in the region of the heated zone, an endless flexible band trained about the guide members, and means to cause the band to travel, the casing having an aperture through which the matrix to be dried can be introduced between the cylindrical guide member and the band as the band passes on to the guide member.

1 4. A matrix drying machine comprising in combination a casing consisting of an open-ended box having a removable cover, heating elements in the casing to providea heated zone therein, a plurality of guide members in the casing, an endless flexible band trained about the guide members, a cantilever support carrying the guide members from the end of the casing remote from the removable cover, the cantilever support extending between the up and down runs of the band.

5. A matrix drying machine comprising in combination a casing, heating elements in the casing to provide a heated zone therein, a plurality of guide members, means supporting the guide members in spaced relationship in the casingwith one of the guide members in the heated zone, an endless flexible band trained about the guide members, a table located in the casing between the guide members, the casing having an opening in'register with the table, and means causing the band to travel, the matrix to be dried being introduced through the opening on to the table and thence fed to the nip between the band as it passes to the guide located in the heating zone and being conveyed by the band through the heating zone and then discharged to the table as the band leaves the said guide.

'6. A matrix drying machine comprising in combination a casing, heating elements in the casing, upper and lower cylindrical members, means supporting the members for rotation in the casing one of the members being supported in the heating zone of the heating elements, means to drive one of the members, an endless flexible band trained about the two members, and bearer rings formed on the member supported in the heated zone, the said rings being spaced apart to support the edge portions of the flexible band and to leave an annular clearance between the band and the saidmember, the casing having an aperture to enable the matrix to be dried to be introduced into the clearance formed as the band passes on to the said member. i

7; A matrix drying machine comprising in combination a casing, heating elements in the casing, upper and lower cylindrical members, means supporting the members for rotation in the casing one of the members being supported in the heating zone of the heating elements, variable speed means to drive one of the members, an endless flexible band trained about the two members,

and bearer rings formed on the member supported in the heated zone, the said rings being spaced bination a casing, heating elements in the casing,

upper and lower cylindrical members, means supporting the member for rotation in the casing one of the members being supported in the heating zone of the heating elements, means to drive one of the members, an endless flexible band trained about the two members, bearer rings formed on the member supported in the heated zone, the said rings being spaced apart to support the edge portions of the flexible band and to leave an annular clearance between the band and the said member, and a table disposed in the casing between the upper and lower members, the casing having an aperture in register with the table so that the matrix to be dried can be fed through the opening to the table and thence to the nip formed between the band and the guide member located in the heating Zone, the matrix then being conveyed through the heating zone and discharged to the table as the band leaves the said guide member.

9. In a matrix drying machine, an enclosing casing, rotatably mounted and spaced apart cylinders in the casing, an endless band drivingly connecting the cylinders, means to drive one of the cylinders to drive the band, a heated chamber in the casing, a portion of the driven cylinder being disposed in the heated chamber, the casing having an opening through which a matrix may be passed and be disposed within the casing between the cylinders and between runs of the band between the cylinders.

10. In a matrix drying machine, an enclosing casing, rotatably mounted and spaced apart cylinders in the casing, an endless band drivingly connecting the cylinders, means to drive one of the cylinders to drive the band, a heated chamber in the casing, a portion of the driven cylinder being disposed in the heated chamber, the casing having an opening in a side thereof, and means in the casing to support a matrix passed into the casing through the opening therein adjacent one, and between both, of the cylinders and between runs of the band between the cylinders.

11. In a matrix drying machine, an enclosing casing, rotatably mounted and spaced apart cylinders in the casing, an endless band drivingly connecting the cylinders, means to drive one of the cylinders to drive the band, a heated chamber in the casing, a portion of the driven cylinder being disposed in the heated chamber, the casing having an opening in a side thereof, means in the casing to support a matrix passed into the casing through the opening therein adjacent one, and between both, of the cylinders and between runs of the band between the cylinders, and means to draw out a dried matrix from the supporting means in the casing, through the opening.

12. A matrix drying machine including in combination, a casing, a heated drying chamber in the casing, a curved member in the heated drying chamber and having flanges at its sides, a second member spaced from the curved member, an endless looped flexible band trained in its run about the second member and the curved member between the flanges, band engaging bearers adjacent the flanges on said curved member operating to support the edges of the band so as to leave a matrix receiving clearance space between the surface of the curved member and the band.

13. A matrix drying machine including in combination, a casing, a heated chamber in the casing, an endless flexible band, a pair of rotatable members spaced apart to have the band trained about them in the form of a loop, means to rotate one of said members to cause the band to travel, means to support one of said members in the heated chamber, a matrix support extending substantially from one run of the band to the other and being disposed between said members and the runs of the band therebetween to receive and guide a matrix into the nip between the band and the member in the heated chamberand having an edge disposed closely adjacent the band as it leaves the member to catch the matrix after it has been passed over this member by the band and uide it onto the support, and means to secure the matrix support to the casing in its required position.

14. A matrix drying machine including in combination, a casing having an opening therein, a drum having flanges at its ends, means supporting the drum for rotation in the casing, stationary heating elements located adjacent a part of the inner and outer periphery of the drum and to one side of its axis, a guide member spaced from said drum, an endless looped flexible band trained in its run about the guide member and the periphery of the drum between the flanges of the latter, bearers between the flanges on the drum to support the edges of the band from the drum as the band passes thereover, the said bearers leaving between them and between the band and the drum a matrix receiving clearance space, means to cause the band to travel, and a support for a matrix to be dried disposed in the casing at another side of the axis of the drum and being adapted to guide the matrix between the nip of the band and the drum for it to be conveyed thereby between the heating elements.

15. A matrix drying machine including in combination, a casing, a heated drying chamber in the casing, a cylindrical member having flanges at its ends, means supporting the cylindrical member for rotation so that it rotates in the heated drying chamber, a guide member spaced from the cylindrical member, an endless looped flexible band trained in its run about the guide member and about the cylindrical member between the flanges thereof, bearers at the ends of the cylindrical member adjacent the flanges thereof supporting the edge parts of the band from the cylindrical member so as to leave between them and between the periphery of the cylindrical member and the surface of the band a matrix-receiving clearance space, and means to cause the endless band to travel, the casing having an opening adjacent one end of the cylindrical member through which a matrix to be dried may be introduced between the band and the cylindrical member to be conveyed thereby through the drying chamber.

16. A matrix drying machine including in combination, a casing, a pair of spaced rotatable members, one of the members being in the form of a hollow drum, means supporting the drum for rotation in the casing, heating elements located adjacent the inner and outer peripheries of the drum, an endless flexible band trained about the two members, means to cause the band to travel, a matrix support curved downwardly with respect to the periphery of the hollow drum-shaped member, extending from one run of the band to the other, and being disposed between the members I to guide the matrix to be dried into the nip between the drum and the :band as th band passes onto the drum, said support having an edge disposed closely adjacent to the band as it leaves the drum to catch and guide the matrix onto the support, and means to secure the support to the casing in the aforesaid position with respect to the drum.

CECIL GEORGE QUICK.

CHARLES WILLIAM MARSHALL. 

